By leveraging the successful licensing and process design experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D capabilities of Clariant, the two companies expect to further strengthen their joint position in polypropylene catalysts. Clariant and Lummus Novolen will jointly invest in the new line.

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Clariant has signed long-term cooperation agreements
with CB&Is Lummus Novolen Technology business to develop
improved polypropylene catalyst and donor technologies.

The two companies, who made the announcement Thursday, said
they will combine and ramp up research and
development (R&D) efforts.

When successful, existing and future Lummus Novolen licensees
and other polypropylene producers will be supplied with the new
catalyst developed by a new Ziegler-Natta polypropylene
catalyst production line.

Clariant and Lummus Novolen will jointly
invest in the new production line at
Clariants catalyst production hub in Louisville,
Kentucky. The plant is expected to be on stream in
2015.

"The strategic partnership with Lummus Novolen is a significant
milestone for the catalyst business," said Hariolf
Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. "It strengthens our competitive
position in a market with future perspectives and strong growth
rates."

By leveraging the successful licensing and process design
experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D
capabilities of Clariant, the two companies expect to further
strengthen their joint position in polypropylene
catalysts.

The polypropylene Ziegler-Natta catalyst market is expected to
continue the high growth pace shown over the last decade,
according to the companies, with estimated growth rates of more
than 5% in the next five years.

"This alliance between Lummus Novolen and Clariant in the field
of polypropylene catalyst will strengthen the innovation
potential to better serve the needs of our clients," said
Daniel McCarthy, president of CB&Is technology group.

"The state-of-the-art catalyst production plant will guarantee
continuous supply and consistent product quality," he added.
"With this new direction, the Lummus Novolen technology portfolio will become an
even more attractive offer to the growing polypropylene
market."

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